Prescription charges for over 60’s

[salcombebabe]

If you’re 60 or over and don’t agree with having to pay for prescriptions (which Boris wants us to in the very near future!) then please sign this!

I’ve put in AIBU for traffic.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/594390

Never known a petition work myself.

Where is this reported please?

Many over 60's can afford to pay while many under 60's can't. Only those who need them should get free prescriptions.

I can afford them so would happily pay

Given the retirement age is 67, I don't see a problem with raising it to that level. There are loads of exemptions re being on benefits, low income, health conditions etc.

And really, a lot of pensioners are quite well off, particularly in terms of assets. So why shouldn't older people pay.

How is it fair that a 61 year old working full time on £80k pa gets free prescriptions but a 30 year old working full time on £24k pa has to pay?

Here

It is full of if and could type words. Government are quoted as "consulting" round the "suggestion" of bringing the age at which people automatically qualify for free prescriptions into line with the state pension age, which I have to say doesn't sound unreasonable to me in light of the fact people will still be working at that point, and, if not, and on a low income, will then potentially qualify for a free prescription under that criteria.

@salcombebabe can you explain your rationale? A lot of younger people are impacted by this too. We have older parents and grandparents. It seems strange to only aim this at the people who it'll impact immediately with no justification for your argument.

YABU why should you get it free just because of your age? You've had plenty of time to earn money, younger people should get it free to help them while they get on their feet if anything.

The plan is to raise the age to match retirement age, and not to make all pensioners pay for prescriptions.

My 64 year old DF earns more money than me. He can pay for his prescriptions quite easily!

From 60 to 66, in line with pensionable age? That seems reasonable to me. I have a chronic illness and have had am annual pre-payment prescription since I was 18, I don't see why that should change before my working life is.

Yabu. If you have the means to pay, you should pay.

You can get prescription pre-payment cert for £10 per month. Why not just get that?

Oooh this might be something sensible that boris brings in. First time for everything. No, I don't think millionaire pensioners should get free prescriptions.

I find it odd that my MIL who is mortgage free, has 2 private pensions and much higher disposable income than we do gets free prescriptions but some months I go without my asthma meds because I dont have the money.

Just move to Scotland - prescriptions are free here. The reasoning being that processing prescription admin costs more than the fee and drugs. So cheaper overall not too charge...

@Outnumbered99

You can get prescription pre-payment cert for £10 per month. Why not just get that?

yes and some months I don't have that £10.

@WhatScratch

How is it fair that a 61 year old working full time on £80k pa gets free prescriptions but a 30 year old working full time on £24k pa has to pay?

It isn't just about people in work. DM is 90 - annual income £30K. DH is 63 - annual income £38K. I'm 57 - annual income £8K. I'm the one that has to pay prescription charges. No. i don't care personally (DH keeps me in the style I expect ) but the system is completely wrong.

I think this is correct. My parents can afford to pay and they always thought this rule was a bit strange.

I've signed OP as I think prescriptions should be free for over 60's

@LaDoIceVita are you earning £8k because you don't want to work more hours or because you can't? I think this matters too.

I don't think people should get free prescriptions because they're choosing to have a low income because their relationship etc means they can afford to.

Brilliant idea. DM used to get bulk prescriptions for all sorts of otc stuff from her doctor, because it was free. Her doctor also prescribed loads of meds she had no intention of taking. She was pretty wealthy too. When she died I found drawers and drawers of unused stuff. It all had to be binned.

As in brilliant idea to charge, not to sign the petition!

@BigWoollyJumpers

Brilliant idea. DM used to get bulk prescriptions for all sorts of otc stuff from her doctor, because it was free. Her doctor also prescribed loads of meds she had no intention of taking. She was pretty wealthy too. When she died I found drawers and drawers of unused stuff. It all had to be binned.

When I was pregnant with DD1, a colleague on circa £50k pa told me that you can get calpol etc free on prescription.

That's great if you need it. But I didn't need it and neither did they.
They're they reason people who can't afford it are having to pay.